Defenseman Aaron Ness has been reassigned to the Capitals’ AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears.

Ness was called up on October 31 to serve as an extra defenseman with Brooks Orpik out, and did not play in any games.

The move likely signals that Brooks Orpik is ready to return from his lower-body injury and the 38-year-old defenseman could play or serve as the backup Monday for the Capitals game against the Oilers.

The Bears tweeted that Ness is expected to play as early as tonight in their “Hockey Fights Cancer” game. Ness started out his season with the Bears, registering four assists in eleven games.

The Washington Capitals have re-assigned defenseman Aaron Ness to Hershey, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

Ness, 28, has played in 11 games with Hershey this season and registered four assists. On Oct. 27 against Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, Ness, playing in his 459th career AHL game, recorded his 200th career AHL point (38g, 162a). In 179 career games with Hershey, the 5’10”, 189-pound defenseman has recorded 77 points (15g, 62a).

Ness was drafted by the New York Islanders in the second round, 40th overall, in the 2008 NHL Draft and has recorded six points (1g, 5a) in 47 career NHL games with the New York Islanders and Washington.